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Hotel vs. Bed and Breakfast

Have you ever been faced with the dilemma of whether to book a hotel or a b&b? When is one the better choice over the other? In many places, whether you’re in Venice or Chiang Mai, both are equally good choices. In smaller towns, you might only have b&bs. In the US, most b&bs offer a romantic experience for couples, so are not accommodating to families especially with small children. In Europe, many b&bs are set up for families, with rooms that have triple or quad beds. Busy downtown locations will likely only have hotels. If you are taking a multi-week trip, my recommendation would be to do a combination, so that you balance the charm and hospitality of b&bs with the full-service offerings of hotels. Here are my top selection criteria. Of course, there might be some criteria common to both. For example, there are b&bs with historical interest.

When to choose a hotel

– Preference for your favorite hotel chain, like a Marriott or Four Seasons, especially if you have points or have enjoyed these hotels in the past.

– Location. For example, if you are in New York for just the weekend and have tickets to a Broadway musical, then you should book one of the big hotels in Times Square.

– Historical interest. The Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok has its history dating back to the 1880s when the original hotel welcomed travelers and businessmen involved with trade in Siam.

– Workout and recreational facilities. If you need to workout, you’ll need a good fitness room. Or, if you have kids and it’s 95 degrees outside, you’ll need a swimming pool.

– Concierge services. Major hotels have concierge desks in the lobby to help you with organized tours.

When to choose a bed and breakfast

– Preference for a small and relaxed atmosphere. You don’t have to dress up to look presentable for breakfast. The owner greets you with a big smile and seats you at your favorite table.

– Independence and flexibility. You’d rather come up with your own choices of what to do that day and where to have dinner, rather than relying on a full-service concierge desk or dining in the hotel’s restaurant every night.

– Meeting new people over breakfast. From experience, people we’ve met in b&bs are generally friendlier and happy to get to know you too, especially if you all come from different parts of the world. People you meet are part of the travel experience.

– For long stays and with children, is a more cost-effective option, especially with breakfast included.

– You enjoy the genuine interest and charm from the owners when asking about your day’s experiences, or if there’s anything else they can help you with.

– Fewer rooms mean fewer people, so you avoid the crowds in the lobby, elevator — and at breakfast, especially if you’re in a rush to get your day going — and get more personal attention from the staff.